DaveOKC

Once we reached 4 star we started booking Signature Suite, as the cabins are not that much smaller than the Neptunes, plus 4 and 5 stars get you some of the same benefits as Neptunes (free laundry, VIP boarding, some events).

Also, be watch closely for upsell offers.

8 hours ago, Wayward Son said:

 

It's called the TV. I know it doesn't print, but it still gives you what you need. Just curious, how old is your android?

 

I take photos of my final bill from the TV, just in case.  Helps me keep track.

Only time I would use them is if I had OBC to use up (or lose).  And assuming I had plenty of time.

We generally just take a taxi - usually lined up and ready to go quickly.  If you wait to be the last off the ship however there may be a short (5-10 minute) wait in our experience.

If we have excess OBC to use, AND we have lots of time to kill, we purchase HAL transfers at the shore excursion desk.  It costs a bit more, but if we want to use OBC up, it works IMO.

5 hours ago, HermmyGranger said:

We are going through this right now. We booked a guarantee Neptune Suite because choosing your own cabin was $700 per person more. Unfortunately, we were unaware of the Neptune Spa Suite cabins and are stuck in one of those and we can't move because the ship is sold out. I'm still not sure we would have paid an additional $1400 to choose our own cabin, but I wish I'd known that the Spa Suite was an option. I wrongly assumed that they were a different category since they are sold separately from the standard suites.

I personally think that HAL made those Spa Neptunes a higher rating so that they could put the guarantee bookings in them and say that the person was upgraded.  We were in one of these on deck 10 really did not care for it (it was not terrible, but IMO the Neptunes midships on deck 7 are better.

We have done the off early, taxi to FLL and TSA precheck many times.  We generally get to our gate by 8:30 to 9:00 AM.  However, if there is any problems along the way, a 9:30 flight could be a real problem.  Also, weekday flights normally are easier to get through the airport, as once the massive ships (who usually dock on weekends) start letting people off, the airport can get very busy.

12 hours ago, happytotravel said:

Hi,

The first leg of my cruise begins June 01. I have my boarding pass with bar code.  The boarding pass for the second leg should be ready today with the bar code. The bar code is still missing.  Am I just a day or so too early?

Thanks, happytotravel 

As already stated, you will not need it.  The issue here is that the bar codes usually show up about a week prior to sailing and you will already be on the ship.

We had CO on the Volendam last year and quite frankly it was not worth much.  No CO line at the excursions desk and hard to find at the Main Dining Room (where you were seated the same as everyone else, except quicker (and had to ask for the CO menu everytime).

13 hours ago, SeeSun&Sea said:

HAL uses the Non-refundable OBC first for all charges, including gratuities. Once you've used that up, HAL starts charging against the Refunable OBC. And if you use that up, they start charging your credit card.

Unless I am misreading your comment, I do not think this is totally correct.  Non-refundable OBC cannot be used for casino charges.  

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

Any! I think Casino Play is the only restricted one...

Correct

Both non-refundable.

Increased prices are no surprise to most.  Post Covid sailings were deeply discounted to get people back into sailing and we enjoyed some great deals back then.  Now, with the ships filling up AND inflation high, of course the pricing is way up, especially when compared to just post Covid.

Mariner parties seem to vary alot by ship, perhaps depending on how many by category (3,4,5 Star) there are on the cruise.

13 hours ago, HermmyGranger said:

If the cruise that we are supposed to be taking in less than three weeks no longer shows as an option on HAL, does that mean it's sold out?

Often HAL closes out the top categories 3-4 weeks prior to sailing so they can do their "upsell" process.  It could be that it is sold out also.

Did you research the number of unassigned cabins recently ( say the prior 2 weeks to that)?  That could give you a better read on what the situation is,

As already mentioned, you will likely need to call HAL to get a proper answer.

Seems like a very fair compensation to me.  I have done both routes several times each and while the Inside one has better scenery and calmer waters, to me it is not worth 10% of the fare.

Last month I came in on American - terminal 3.  Exited the baggage claim area (out the last door to the left), turned left and it was very close.  Easy to find.  I think it was spot E, but you really cannot miss it due to the signs and the multiple buses picking up there.

IMO, its a tight schedule and not worth it IMO.  Plus traffic can be brutal.

9 hours ago, cruiseDad227 said:

Sorry if this question has been asked before but I’m a 1st time HAL cruiser and staying in a Neptune suite. Can you have the sparkling wine replaced with a non-alcoholic alternative like sparkling cider?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Read posts from the beginning of this topic for answers.

16 hours ago, gizmodog said:

What time is early fixed dining?

5:30 last month.  Open dining was 5:15

Four cruises in past 18 months on the Eurodam.  Twice was able to exchange it for a bottle of white wine, once they said they would check on it and never did (we did not care to follow up since we had a drink package anyway) and last month they would only exchange for three cans of soda.  Have had similar experiences on other HAL ships.  Soooo, exchanging the sparkling wine will vary depending on the ship.

3 minutes ago, I like vacation said:

I just received a free cruise offer email 30 minutes ago.  It was from the Players Club and said to call your PCC for availability and to make the booking.

Did you check your account online to see if it showed up?  It used to for me, but not so far.

Its been awhile sine we got a free cruise offer from HAL, but we just got one.  However, when I try to find/book it online it does not show up (just the normal fare).  Is this normal?  How long should I wait for it?

Almost always a tradeoff of price and service.  I book through a HAL PCC and get very good service, many times "over and above".  Have gotten some great deals due to her "making a call".

Good example, in Dec I was wanting to upsell to a Neptune from a Signature, but Neptunes sold out (6 weeks prior to sailing).  My PCC called the upsell department and informed them that I would like an upsell if one opened up.  The day prior to sailing (at 5 pm) I get a call from the upsell department offering an upsell to a Neptune (someone had cancelled that day).  My cost was a REFUND of $1 (long story why).  Try this with most TAs or big box reps.

DO I get the lowest price on my cruises?  Probably not, but by working with a good PCC the overall deal for me is often better.  Many times my PCC has gotten me refunds or perks that I never thought she would be able to.  Further, I seem to be able to get upsells to a Neptune on 80-90% of our cruises, at a great price by the way.

So, I guess that my answer to this question is that how to book a HAL cruise depends on how involved you are and if you can find a good PCC.

We have been in 4 Eurodam Neptunes in the past year. Sister ship to the NA.  We try to get deck 7 near the Lounge, as it is sooo convenient.  If we were going on a scenic cruise (like Alaska or the Panama Canal), I would recommend the aft wraps - give up some space, add more walking, but get great views.  Otherwise, go for deck 7 between the midship elevator and the Lounge.

On 4/20/2024 at 10:46 AM, bajae said:

I have zero experience with the “key in the mailbox” process but is there any “activation” that happens in the checkin process? So if someone does go to the wrong cabin, and they try to open the door, the card wouldn’t work since the real occupants haven’t checked in? I know this wouldn’t stop it if the real occupants have checked in but haven’t made it to the cabin yet. But in that case, hopefully the error is quickly discovered and corrected. 

We had a mixup 6 months ago and were able to access both cabins with the keys.  The other person was a last minute cancellation, so they obviously did not checkin.